Governor Cuomo Announces Results of Health Care Employee Antibody Test, New Rent Relief Directives
Today (May 7th), Governor Cuomo held a press conference during which he announced antibody testing results from a survey of health care workers conducted across 25 downstate health care facilities. Of the approximately 27,000 employees tested, the number of health care workers who tested positive was:
- Westchester: 6.8% (compared to 13.8% in the general population)
- New York City: 12.2% (compared to 19.9% in the general population)
- Long Island: 11.1% (compared to 11.4% in the general population)
The Governor provided updates on the $25 million Nourish New York Initiative, which has been purchasing food and products from upstate farms and directing them to food banks across the State. The initiative has funded nearly 50 food banks and pantries with participation from over 2,100 New York farms. Philanthropies/foundations interested in supporting this effort can contact COVIDPhilanthropies@exec.ny.gov.
The Governor announced additional rent relief directives, including banning late payments or fees and allowing renters facing financial hardship to use their security deposit as payment while repaying the deposit over time. Additionally, the State will be extending the moratorium on residential or commercial evictions related to COVID-19 for 60 days until August 20th.
New York State Department of Health Advisory Regarding Inflammatory Disease in Children
On May 6th, Governor Cuomo directed the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to issue an advisory (available here) regarding an inflammatory disease affecting children across New York State that may be related to COVID-19. The condition, called “Pediatric Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome Potentially Associated with COVID-19,” is currently suspected in 64 pediatric cases across the State. The DOH advisory provides additional information on the condition for health care providers and hospitals, including typical symptoms and procedures for early recognition. The advisory also requires hospitals to immediately report suspected cases in patients who are under 21 years old to DOH through the Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS) application on the Health Commerce System (HCS). Hospitals must also perform a diagnostic and serological test for SARS-CoV-2 in patients who are under 21 years old who present with symptoms compatible with the condition.
The press release is available here. Questions regarding HERDS may be submitted to hospinfo@health.ny.gov. All other questions should be directed to the provider’s local health department or DOH at 518-473-4439 (business hours) or 1-866-881-2809 (evenings, weekends, holidays).